While the Christmas season brings an array of unwelcome invaders, such as tourists and yet more Times Square Elmos, there is one interloper who is most definitely embraced by the female population — your neighborhood tree guy. These burly, sometimes bearded men come from far-flung places like Canada, Colorado or even Australia to, er, man the makeshift tree stands. “We’re definitely a curiosity,” says Adam Mathews, 33, of Buffalo, who sells saplings in Williamsburg. These holiday hotties weather extreme temps — think lots of heaving in rugged flannels and Carhartt coats — to service the 24-hour appetites of New Yorkers. As part of our seasonal tribute to the evergreen guys of NYC, here are our picks for 2013.
The Survivalist
Michel (asked that his last name not be used)
Age: 31
Location: 110th Street and Broadway
Hails from: Montreal
When he’s not selling trees: He teaches the business of tourism at a college.
Relationship status: Girlfriend of five years
Manliest moment: Lifting a tree — and the bike he uses to transport it — on his shoulders and carrying it down a set of steps at 115th Street
Favorite part about New York: “Everyone is so generous. We get gifts all of the time.” That includes homemade stuffed peppers and nice bottles of wine.
Interesting fact about him: “I used to be a tour guide in the Canadian Rockies.”
Female attention: “My shift ends at 3 a.m., so I get hit on a lot [by late-night revelers].”
The Latino Lover
Hector Moncada
Age: 24
Location: Sixth Avenue and Spring Street
Hails from: Mexico City
When he’s not selling trees: “I’m a graphic designer, so I can work and travel.”
Relationship status: Single
Biggest turn-on: “Redheads are my favorite.”
Biggest turn-off: “I like all girls. I am open-minded.”
Favorite New York moment: “The snow. I’d never seen it fall. For me, shoveling was my magic New York moment.”
Manliest moment: “The other day it took five of us to carry a tree. They are heavy.”
The Saucy Aussie
Dave (asked that his last name not be used)
Age: 36
Location: Eighth Avenue and 19th Street
Hails from: Melbourne, Australia
When he’s not selling trees: “I’m a golf caddy on the [PGA] tour and Sebonack Golf Club.”
Relationship status: Single
Biggest turn-on: Sense of humor
Biggest turn-off: Rude and cheap people
Wackiest NYC moment: “Given this location, I get a lot of sexual innuendo from the male population. Especially when they’re drunk.”
Manliest moment: “I carried a 10-foot tree from Battery Park to 10 Water St., which was pretty far.”
Interesting fact about him: “I’ve been to 87 different countries and used to play Aussie-rules football.”
Secret to keeping warm: Vodka
The Sarcastic Sapling Slinger
Etienne (asked that his last name not be used)
Age: 30
Location: Sixth Avenue and 26th Street
Hails from: Montreal
When he’s not selling trees: “I’m a contractor.”
Relationship status: Girlfriend of two years
Manliest moment: “When I take a big, fat tree, open it up and say, ‘Is that what you want?’ ”
Female attention: “I think I’m too low-class for them here. Or maybe I’m in the wrong spot.”
Most New York moment: “Dealing with New Yorkers in general. Sometimes it’s fun. Other times, it’s a lot of work.”
The Burly Brainiac
Barclay Mitchell
Age: 26
Location: Sixth Avenue and Spring Street
Hails from: All over the US
When he’s not selling trees: “I just managed a ski-rental delivery in Telluride.”
Relationship status: Single
Interesting fact: “I have a bachelor’s degree in biology.”
Favorite thing about New York: “It’s nice to be able to get something to eat at 2 a.m. Everything is always open.”
Manliest moment: “We almost had to push a 15-foot tree up a fire escape.” Secret to keeping warm: “I’m moving to Hawaii after this. [Thinking about] it helps me get through these cold days.”
The Thinker
Arthur (asked that his last name not be used)
Age: 31
Location: 110th Street and Broadway
Hails from: Montreal
When he’s not selling trees: “I’m a geographer.”
Relationship status: Single
Biggest turn-on: “I’m sapiosexual. I prefer smart girls.”
Biggest turn-off: Princesses
Manliest moment: “I delivered a 14-footer to a castle on Central Park West, and we had to cut a foot off. The employees were concerned about the marble flooring.”
Favorite thing about New York: “No matter how weird you are, you’re not weird here.”
Interesting fact about him: “I really love craft beer. The Westside Market across the street has a good selection.”
The Pretty Boy
Briar Montana
Age: 18
Location: Sixth Avenue and Spring Street
Hails from: Manhattan
Relationship status: Has a girlfriend
When he’s not selling trees: He’s not sure how he’ll be spending his time. We suggest modeling.
Wackiest New York moment: “Someone tipped me $100 by personal check. I haven’t cashed it yet.”
Favorite part of the job: “Getting to see all of these amazing expensive apartments during deliveries.”
The Adventurer
Adam Mathews
Age: 33
Location: McCarren Park at Driggs Avenue
Hails from: Buffalo
When he’s not selling trees: “My last job was teaching English in Korea. And I worked at a farmer’s market. After this, I am going to Costa Rica to work on a cacao farm for three months.”
Relationship status: Has a girlfriend, Kristie, who works with him.
Female attention: “I get some googly eyes.”
Weirdest New York moment: “A lady came by the other day and started throwing snowballs at us. It started a huge snowball fight, and I walloped her a few times. Then we all shook hands. I think she wanted someone to play with. And someone brought us Thanksgiving leftovers.”
Interesting fact: He’s an adventure cyclist and biked the entire state of Colorado a few years ago.